Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
St John
POP 4300
Includes »
Why Go?
Outdoor enthusiasts and ecotravelers: welcome to your island. Two-thirds of St John is a
protected national park, with gnarled trees and spiky cacti spilling over its edges. There are
no airports or cruise ship docks, and the usual Caribbean resorts are few and far between.
Instead, the island hosts several tent-resorts (aka campgrounds with permanent canvas struc-
tures), keeping costs reasonable and the environment intact.
Hiking and snorkeling are the main must-dos. Trails wind by petroglyphs and sugar mill
ruins, and several drop out onto beaches prime for swimming with turtles and spotted eagle
rays. Scuba trips, kayaking voyages and cycling trail rides add to the adventure.
All that action can make a visitor thirsty, so it's a good thing St John knows how to host a
happy hour, where the party often spills out into the street.
When to Go
Mid-December through April is the perfect-weather high season, when prices and crowds
max out. Events that bring bunches include 8 Tuff Miles, an island-spanning road race in late
February, and the Blues Festival around the third weekend in March. The St John Carnival
in early July is biggest blowout of all. May and early December are good shoulder season
months for bargains and decent (if wet) weather. Thursdays and Fridays are the best days to
be on the island for live music.
Best Places to Eat
» Rhumb Lines (
Click here
)
» Jake's (
Click here
)
